Film Review: MOANA 2 (English; Dubbed in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, etc.)

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Moana 2 (U/A; animation fantasy adventure) is a sequel to the studio’s 2016 global hit Moana. The film continues the journey of the spirited voyager Moana (voiced by Auli‘i Cravalho) and demi-god Maui (Dwayne Johnson) as they embark on another sea-faring adventure across mythological Polynesian islands.

The story, credited to David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand and Dana Ledoux Miller, picks up with Moana answering an unexpected call from her ancestors to explore new seas beyond the familiar world she saved earlier. While the film maintains Disney’s celebrated visual grandeur, the screenplay follows a more predictable, linear route. There are scattered moments of warmth, humour and awe, but the freshness of discovery that made the first part unforgettable feels somewhat diminished.

Dialogues (in English and dubbed versions) are functional, with occasional witty lines for Maui, but there isn’t enough sharpness to elevate the drama beyond surface-level engagement.

Auli‘i Cravalho continues to voice Moana with passion and energy, giving the character both innocence and resilience. Dwayne Johnson brings his trademark swagger and comic timing to Maui. Among the new voices, Alan Tudyk makes a mark in small measure.

Direction by David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand and Dana Ledoux Miller ensures that the film retains the Disney polish, but their narration plays safe. The film banks heavily on spectacle over depth. The emotional beats—especially the bond between Moana and her ancestors—are underdeveloped compared to the first film.

Musically, Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear’s score is decent but lacks the unforgettable highs of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s work in Moana (2016). None of the songs have the lasting resonance of How Far I’ll Go. Background score, however, complements the sweeping visuals effectively.

Technically, the film is top-notch. The animation (under the supervision of Disney’s in-house team) is breath-taking, particularly in sequences of the ocean, storms, and mythical creatures. The colour palettes are vibrant, and the CGI detailing is state-of-the-art. Editing (Jeff Draheim) is crisp.

On the whole, Moana 2 is visually dazzling but narratively ordinary. It will ride on Disney’s global brand and family audience appeal, ensuring solid box-office returns, especially in the overseas markets. In India too, the dubbed versions will find takers among urban families, but word-of-mouth may settle at an average level.